Speaking at a 50th anniversary celebration for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT Gov. Suraphon Svetasreni said that visitor arrivals have grown in Thailand from 81,000 visitors to 14 million in the last five decades.
TAT is targeting an increase in tourism estimated that visitor arrivals could reach over 15 million, and bring in expenditures of $24.07 billion.
Suraphon said that the primary goal of the TAT was to contribute to the Thai economy for the betterment of Thai people. In this respect its focus had changed.
“The first 50 years of tourism development were focused largely on maximizing the economic returns,” Mr. Suraphon told some 300 journalists and travel agents invited to the event. “The next 50 years will require an equivalent focus on minimizing the ecological impact.” He also added that numerous activities, projects, and policies would be put in place to ensure a sustainable environment for tourism.
The celebration event focused on four aspects of tourism: medical health tourism, community-based tourism, experiential tourism, and luxury tourism.
Suraphon further elaborated that TAT is also actively promoting the concept of emotional marketing, where they try to create the same feeling of respect and admiration Thai people have for their country in those who visit the country.
Following a welcome speech by minister of Tourism and Sport, Mr. Chumphol Silap-archa, the history of TAT was briefly introduced. Formerly known as the Tourism Organization of Thailand (TOT), it was officially established as an independent agency within the Royal Thai government to promote both inbound travel and domestic tourism. The organization was renamed the Tourism Authority of Thailand in 1979, and has since been instrumental in putting Thailand on the world tourism map.
Life Still Normal
Due to the ongoing political unrest in Thailand, it was reported that foreign visitor arrivals were down 20-30 percent from last year, but TAT stressed that foreigners had not been targeted in the political conflict. Their official Web site however says that foreigners should “be vigilant, and avoid areas where crowds may gather.”
The TAT Hotline and Call Centre—1672—operates from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. TAT recommends that foreign tourists and visitors to Thailand call 1672 for tourist assistance. In the event that further coordination or facilitation is needed, they will be directed to the nearest TAT Tourist Information Center.
